Methods of manipulating a screen space of a display device

ABSTRACT

Methods to manipulate a screen space of a display device are disclosed. A plurality of application windows of a plurality of applications are displayed on a screen space. At least a first application and a second application are executing to display a plurality of windows. A user interface of system level applications maybe displayed. A selection of a single application mode is received. In response to the receiving of the selection of the single application mode, all the windows are removed automatically from the screen space, except for a first application window. At least the first and second applications continue being executed. The user interface of the system level applications may continue to be displayed. Next, a request to display a second application window is received. The second application window is displayed while the first application window is removed from the screen space.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to graphical user interfaces(“GUIs”). More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate tomethods of manipulating a screen space in a display device.

BACKGROUND

Data processing systems, e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers,personal digital assistants, and the like, use display devices (e.g.,computer monitors) to show objects such as text characters, and stilland moving images on a screen. Graphical user interfaces are created fora user to interact with a data processing system using various images,e.g., icons, windows, and other objects. Icons are small pictures shownon a screen of a display device that may represent programs, or files orother items. For example, by moving a pointer to an icon and pressing amouse button, the user executes a command, opens a file represented bythe icon into a window, or moves the icon around the display screen.Typically, a user operates an application executed by a processorthrough one or more windows displayed on the screen of the displaydevice.

With the increased performance of data processing systems, more and moreapplications can be executed by a processor at the same time.Consequently, more and more application windows of various applicationsmay be displayed on the screen of the display device at the same time.As such, various application windows have to share the same screen spaceof the display device. Typically, the user switches between applicationwindows displayed on the screen of the display device to communicatewith the applications. Sharing the screen space by many applicationwindows causes clutter on the screen space. Therefore, the quest forlarger display devices and/or better use of the screen real estatebecomes important. This is especially important for data processingsystems having relatively small screens, e.g., laptop computers andpersonal digital assistants (PDAs).

FIG. 1 illustrates a screen space 100 of a display device of a computerin a multi-application mode environment. In the multi-application mode,a user may divide the screen space 100 into different areas usingwindows which may overlap each other. The desktop 110 is the area on thedisplay screen 100 where icons 111 are typically displayed. In eachwindow, the user may run a different program or display a differentfile. As shown in FIG. 1, a major screen space 100 is shared by anapplication window 101 and an application window 102. As shown in FIG.1, application window 101 is controlled by Microsoft Excel, andapplication window 102 is controlled by Microsoft Word. Microsoft Exceland Microsoft Word are produced by Microsoft, Inc. located in Redmond,Wash. As shown in FIG. 1, icons 103, 104, and 105 at a bottom of thescreen space 100 represent applications that are currently executed bythe computer. When the user switches from Microsoft Excel to MicrosoftWord, the application window 102 moves to the front of screen space 100,and application window 101 moves to the back of screen space 100, behindapplication window 102, as shown in FIG. 1. That is, all applicationwindows remain occupying screen space 100 when the user switches betweenapplications. Displaying multiple application windows on a displaydevice causes significant clutter of the screen space. Typically, toreduce the clutter of screen space 100 the user minimizes applicationwindow 101 by positioning the pointer over minimizing window icon 106and clicking (e.g. pressing and releasing) the mouse's button.

FIG. 2 illustrates another screen space 200 of a display device of acomputer in a multi-application mode environment. This environment shownin FIG. 2 is provided by the Macintosh operating system known as Mac OS9. As shown in FIG. 2, screen space 200 is occupied by applicationwindow 201 controlled by Microsoft Word, application window 202controlled by Microsoft Outlook, and application window 203 controlledby FileMaker Pro produced by FileMaker, Inc., located in Santa Clara,Calif. A user may open a menu 204 and choose a program to operate, e.g.,a Microsoft Word, from the menu 204 as shown in FIG. 2. The user maypoint the pointer cursor over the option “Hide Others” and click a mousebutton to hide application window 202 and application window 203, and todisplay only application window 201 (and other windows) controlled byMicrosoft Word. Typically, when the user needs to switch to anotherapplication, e.g., to Microsoft Outlook, the user positions the pointerover Microsoft Outlook option of menu 204 and clicks the mouse to bringapplication window 202 to screen space 200. In response to this switch,application window 202 is displayed with application window 201 to sharescreen space 200. Further, when the user needs to use yet anotherprogram, e.g., FileMaker Pro, the user positions the pointer overFileMaker Pro option of menu 204 and clicks the mouse. In response,application window 203 is brought back to share screen space 200 withapplication window 201 and application window 203. That is, in themulti-application mode, each time the user needs to use anotherapplication, another application window is added up to existingapplication windows to share screen space 200 and this causessignificant screen clutter. To reduce the screen clutter in themulti-application mode, the user needs to perform numerous actions,including many cursor manipulations, to open menu 204, select “HideOthers” option on menu 204 each time when another application window isadded to the screen. These many cursor manipulations are very timeconsuming and inconvenient. The clutter of the screen space that occursin the multi-application mode environment is not only very inconvenient.In the multi-application mode, the screen clutter and necessity of goingback and forth between different applications significantly increasesthe probability of errors. For example, a user can accidentally clickonto a wrong application window to operate a wrong application.

Another example of a prior art user interface is the “Switcher” programdeveloped by Andy Hertzfeld for the Macintosh operating system. TheSwitcher program allowed a user to switch from user application to userapplication; however, in this prior art system, only a window controlledby a single application can be displayed and receive input at any onetime.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

Methods to manipulate a screen space of a display device in a dataprocessing system are disclosed. A plurality of application windows of aplurality of applications are displayed on the screen space of thedisplay device while in a multiple application mode. Additionally, auser interface of system level applications, e.g., a dock or menu bar,may be displayed on the screen space of the display device. At least afirst application and a second application are executed by a processorof the data processing system to display the plurality of applicationwindows. Next, a selection of a single application (“Single App”) modeis received (thereby causing a switch from multiple application mode tosingle application mode). The single application mode includescontrolling a major portion of the screen space by one application whichis usually a user level application program. That is, one or morewindows of only one application executed by the processor are displayedat a time. Further, in response to the receiving of the selection of thesingle application mode, all of the windows are automatically removed oranimated away from the screen space of the display device, except forone or more windows of the first application. The second application maycontinue to be executed by the processor after the removing of all ofthe windows from the screen space, except for one or more windows of thefirst application. A user interface, e.g., a dock and/or menu bar, maybe displayed to show applications, whose windows have been removed fromthe screen space. The user interface of the system level applications(e.g. dock and/or menu bar) may continue to be displayed on the screenspace. In one embodiment, other one or more applications are marked insuch a way that they continue to be displayed in the single applicationmode. Next, a request to display one or more second application windowsof a second application is received. The second application window isdisplayed while the first application windows are automatically removedfrom the screen space in response to the request. The first applicationmay continue to be executed by the processor after the removing of thefirst application windows from the screen space of the display device.

In another embodiment, a plurality of application windows are displayedin a screen space. At least a first set of applications (e.g., userlevel applications) is marked to be displayed in a Single App mode. Inthis embodiment, Single App mode may be characterized as a “selectedapplications mode”. At least a second set of applications (e.g., userlevel applications) is marked to be displayed in a Single App mode.Next, a selection of a Single App mode is received. In response to theselection, all the windows are automatically removed from the screenspace, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications.Next, a request to display the windows of the second set of applicationsis received while in the Single App mode. In response to the request,one or more windows of the second set of application are displayed whileremoving all the windows of the first set of applications.

In one embodiment, one or more first user level application windows andone or more second user level application windows, and a first userinterface of a system level application, e.g., a dock and/or menu bar,are displayed on a screen space of a display device of a data processingsystem. The first user level application windows are controlled by afirst user level application, and the second user level applicationwindows are controlled by a second user level application. The firstuser level application and the second user level application areexecuted by at least one processor of a data processing system. One ormore first user level application windows and one or more second userlevel application windows are displayed in a multi-application modeenvironment. The multi-application mode environment includes displayingapplication windows of the plurality of executing applications on thescreen space of the display device concurrently. Next, a selection ofthe single application mode is received from a user. In response to thisselection of the user, the multi-application mode environment isswitched to a single application mode environment. The singleapplication mode includes displaying one or more windows of only oneapplication (usually a user level application) at a time. Next, inresponse to the switching from the multi-application mode environment tothe single application mode environment, the second user levelapplication windows are removed from the screen space while one or morefirst user level application windows are displayed. The second userlevel application, whose windows have been removed from the screenspace, may continue to be executed by the processor. The user interfaceof the system level applications continues to be displayed on the screenspace of the display device in the single application mode. Further, arequest to display a window of the second user application is received.The window of the second user level application is automaticallydisplayed in response to the request, while the windows of the firstuser level application are automatically removed from the screen spacein response to the request to display the window of the second userapplication. In one embodiment, another user interface, e.g., a dock ormenu bar, is displayed to show user level applications, which windowshave been removed from the screen space, and that are executing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a screen space of a display device of a computer in amulti-application mode environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates another screen space of a display device of acomputer in a multi-application mode environment.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a data processingsystem that performs manipulating application windows on a screen space.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method to manipulateapplication windows on a screen space of a display device in a dataprocessing system.

FIG. 5A shows one embodiment of a screen space of a display device of adata processing system in a multi-application mode environment.

FIG. 5B shows one embodiment of a screen space of a display device afterall the windows, except one or more application windows of oneapplication, have been automatically removed from the screen space.

FIG. 5C shows one embodiment of a screen space after an applicationwindow of another application has been displayed in a single applicationmode.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a method of switching from amulti-application mode to a single application mode.

FIG. 7A shows another embodiment of a screen space of a display deviceof a data processing system in a multi-application mode.

FIG. 7B shows another embodiment of a screen space of a display deviceof a data processing system after all the windows, except applicationwindows of one application, have been automatically removed from ascreen space.

FIG. 7C shows another embodiment of a screen space after an applicationwindow of another application has been displayed, while automaticallyremoving application windows of the first application.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a method of manipulating a screen spaceof a display device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart which shows another exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject invention will be described with references to numerousdetails set forth below, and the accompanying drawings will illustratethe invention. The following description and drawings are illustrativeof the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.Numerous specific details are described to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, in certain instances,well known or conventional details are not described in order to notunnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment”, “anotherembodiment”, or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

The present description includes material protected by copyrights, suchas illustrations of graphical user interface images. The owners of thecopyrights, including the assignee of the present invention, herebyreserve their rights, including copyright, in these materials. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever. Copyright Apple Computer, Inc. 2006.

Methods of manipulating application windows on a screen space of adisplay device in a data processing system and a system having acomputer readable medium containing a program code for manipulatingapplication windows on a screen space of a display device are describedbelow. Other methods and other features are also described.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a data processingsystem 300 that performs manipulating application windows on a screenspace. System 300 may be a general purpose computer system or a specialpurpose data processing system or a PDA or a cellular telephone or amedia player. System 300 includes a processor 301 coupled to a memory302 using a bus 303. In one embodiment, memory 302 may be a magneticdisk, an optical disk, a flash memory chip, a hard disk, a dynamicrandom access memory (“DRAM”), a battery backed memory, or anycombination thereof. In one embodiment, the memory 302 may include aportable disk, such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a floppy disk. Processor 301executes the software written onto the memory 302 to perform the methodsof manipulating application windows on a screen space as describedbelow. As shown in FIG. 3, processor 301 and memory 302 are coupledthrough bus 303 to an input/output (“I/O”) controller 306 and to adisplay controller 304. As shown in FIG. 3, I/O controller 306 iscoupled to one or more input/output devices 308, e.g., a mouse or othercursor control device, a keyboard, a modem, a printer, and a videocamera to provide communication with a user. As shown in FIG. 3, adisplay controller 304 is coupled to a display device 305 to display,for example, one or more application windows, wherein the methodsdescribed below, are performed. Typically, a window is an enclosed,rectangular area on the screen space which can be moved around thescreen and can be caused to appear and to be removed by a command fromthe user. Within different windows, a user can run different programs ordisplay different data. Typically, an application receives a user inputthrough the application window. The window can be a logical view of afile. By moving contents within the window, a user can view differentportions of the file. The windows are described in further detail below.Further attributes of at least certain types of windows include theability to be minimized (e.g. be reduced to the size of an icon), to beresized, to scroll the contents within the window. In one embodiment,display controller 304 includes a video adapter (e.g., video card, videoboard, video display board, graphics card, and graphics adapter) toproduce the visual output from a data processing system. In oneembodiment, display controller 304 includes a video adapter thatcontains a memory 309, e.g., a frame buffer, for holding texts andgraphics sent to display device 305 for display. Software that includesprograms and data to perform methods of manipulating application windowson a screen space as described below with respect to FIGS. 4-8, iswritten onto memory 302, memory 309, or both. Further, the video adapterof display controller 304 relays the information received from theprograms and applications running on the data processing system todisplay device 305 that allows a user to view the information and imageson a screen of the display device 305. In one embodiment, displaycontroller 304 includes a video adapter that has a graphics coprocessor(graphics accelerator), for performing graphics calculations. Thegraphics accelerator may have memory 309 that may be faster than memory302. The amount of memory determines how much resolution and how manycolors can be displayed. Memory 302 and/or memory 309 may be dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), or video RAM, which enables both the videocircuitry and the processor to simultaneously access the memory. In oneembodiment, display controller 304 having graphics accelerator (notshown) may be coupled to memory 302 through a video bus e.g., PCI orAccelerated Graphics Port (AGP).

Generally, software may be divided into two general classes: systemssoftware and applications software. Systems software (“system levelapplication”) includes low level programs that interact with thecomputer system and the user at a basic level. This includes operatingsystems, compilers, utilities for managing computer resources, and otherprograms that may affect the data processing system. Applicationssoftware includes one or more programs designed for users of the dataprocessing system (“user level applications”). For example, applicationssoftware may be database programs, word processors, spreadsheetprograms, web browsers, graphics creation programs, and any other userdocument based applications. Figuratively speaking, applicationssoftware are high level programs that run on top of systems softwarebecause it is unable to run without the operating system and systemutilities. In one exemplary embodiment, the user level applications canbe run in either single application mode or multiple application modewhile the system level application s (e.g. Operating System Kernel, filesystem software, dock software, etc.) normally run in multipleapplication mode only, although in an alternative embodiment, allapplications having a user interface (e.g., displayed windows),including certain system level applications, may be capable of runningin either mode. The contents of the screen space are controlled by theselection of the mode. It will be appreciated that the contents of thescreen space are defined by the contents of the frame buffer whichrefreshes the screen space on the display device. In multipleapplication mode, several different user level applications can causethe display of several different windows controlled by those severaldifferent user level applications. For example, a first user levelapplication (e.g., email software), a second user level application(e.g., word processing software), and a third uses level application(e.g. a web browser) can cause the display of several different windows(e.g. six windows, two for each of the three user level applications)concurrently on the screen space. In single application mode, thewindows of only one user level application (or a selected subset ofthose windows) are displayed concurrently in the screen space while theother user level applications continue to run (but their windows are notdisplayed), in one exemplary embodiment, small, iconic-like, activerepresentations of those windows which are not displayed may bedisplayed in the clock or other system level user interface. When a userswitches between applications in the single application mode, thewindows of the user level application which were displayed before theswitch are automatically closed (e.g. removed from the desktop or maindisplay portion) and the windows of the selected user level applicationare displayed, all in response to the command for the switch; forexample, when switching between a first user level application currentlyhaving two windows being displayed to a second user level application,the two windows of the first user level application will beautomatically closed and windows of the second user level applicationwill be displayed all in response to a single user command whichrequests the switch.

A window has a variety of characteristics or features including one ormore of the following: (a) a moveable and resizable container havingborders; (b) scroll controls, such as scroll arrows, to scroll thecontents of the window; (c) the window can receive user input such astext entry (e.g. through typing or copying and pasting of text) orcursor entry events (e.g. selection of buttons or commands within awindow) or dragging and dropping of an object.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method 400 to manipulateapplication windows on a screen space of a display device in a dataprocessing system. The method begins with operation 401 that involvesdisplaying, in a multiple application mode, a plurality of windows on ascreen space, wherein at least a first application and a secondapplication are executing to display the plurality of windows.

FIG. 5A shows one embodiment of a screen space 500 of a display deviceof a data processing system in a multi-application mode environment. Asshown in FIG. 5A, screen space 500 is occupied by application window 501controlled by application App.1, application window 502 controlled byapplication App.2, application window 503 controlled by applicationApp.3, and application window 504 controlled by application App. 4. Asshown in FIG. 5A, a major portion 510 of screen space 500 is controlledby multiple applications App.1-App.4. In one embodiment, major portion510 is defined as a portion of screen space 500 that can display one ormore application windows of separate applications App.1-App.4. In oneembodiment, major portion 510 occupies from about 80% to about 99% ofscreen space 500. In one embodiment, App.1-App.4 are executed byprocessor 301 of data processing system 300, to display applicationwindows 501-504 concurrently on screen space 500, as shown in FIG. 5A.In one embodiment, text and graphics to display application windows501-504 on display device 305 are contained in a frame buffer (notshown) of memory 309. In one embodiment, applications App.1-App.4 areuser level applications. In another embodiment, applications App.1-App.4include user level applications and system level applications. In oneembodiment, screen space 500 includes a user interface 505, e.g., anicon, a bar, a command tab interface, a dashboard, a taskbar, a menubar, a display region that presents an information, e.g., a stockticker, or any combination thereof, as shown in FIG. 5A. In oneembodiment, user interface 505, e.g., a bar, is used to show systemlevel applications. In one embodiment, user interface 505 may beanimated, e.g., may be floating over screen space 500. System levelapplications may provide the information on the status of the computersystem, e.g., usage of the battery, status of the computer hardware(e.g., an amount of used and available memory), needed updates for theoperation system, time and date information, and the like. In oneembodiment, screen space 500 includes a user interface 506 e.g., adocking bar (“dock”), as in Mac OS X produced by Apple Computer, Inc.,located in Cupertino, Calif. to display frequently used user levelapplications, user level applications that are currently executed by theprocessor of the data processing system, or both. In one embodiment,user interface 505 that displays a system level application and userinterface 506 that displays user level applications may be the same userinterface, e.g., a docking bar. In another embodiment, user interface505 and user interface 506 are different interfaces.

Referring back to FIG. 4, method 400 continues with operation 402 ofreceiving a selection of a single application (“Single App”) mode. Auser may select this mode by selecting a command from a menu such as apull down menu or a pop-up menu. The single application mode involvescontrolling a major portion of the screen space by a single applicationto display one or more application windows of the single application.That is, in the single application mode environment, only oneapplication and its one or more windows are displayed on a screen spaceat a time. Referring back to FIG. 5A, in one embodiment, the selectionof the single application mode is performed by positioning a pointer 507over a text or image representation (e.g., an icon) of a desiredapplication on the user interface 506 that shows applications that arecurrently executed by the processor, as shown in FIG. 5, and selecting acommand from a contextual menu. In another embodiment, the selection ofthe single application mode is performed by positioning pointer 507 overa desired application window of application windows 501-504, andselecting a command from a contextual menu. In alternate embodiments,the selection of the single application mode may be performed by a userusing any input device, e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and thelike. In one embodiment, selection of the single application mode isperformed by selecting a command to enter the single application mode,as described below. In a typical embodiment of the invention, a switchbetween multiple application mode and single application mode (and viceversa) does not involve a change from one operating system to anotheroperating system; in other words, the same operating system (e.g.Macintosh OS X) is used for both modes.

Next, referring back to FIG. 4, operation 403 involves removingautomatically, in response to receiving the selection of the singleapplication mode, all the windows from the screen space, except for oneor more application windows of the first application, as shown in FIG.4. In one embodiment, automatically removing all the windows, except forone or more application windows of the first application, is performedby executing the command to enter the single application mode. In oneembodiment, in response to positioning a pointer over a dock selecting acommand for single application mode from a contextual menu, a command isexecuted to automatically remove all the windows.

FIG. 5B shows one embodiment of screen space 500 of the display deviceof the data processing system after all the windows, except for one ormore application windows of one application, have been automaticallyremoved from screen space 500 in response to receiving the selection ofthe single application mode. As shown in FIG. 5B, window 510A iscontrolled by a single application App. 1 and occupies most of thescreen space. As shown in FIG. 5B, application window 501A is displayedin a single application (“Single App”) mode environment. Applicationwindows 502-504 of applications App.2-App.4 have been automaticallyremoved, in response to the selection of a single application mode fromscreen space 500 without a user's intervention (other than the selectionof this mode), while application window of application App.1 continuesto be displayed on screen space 500. In one embodiment, afterapplication windows 502-504 have been automatically removed from screenspace 500, the content of window 510A remains in the frame buffer whilethe contents to display application windows 502-504 on display device305 are no longer contained in the frame. As shown in FIG. 5B, afterremoving application windows 502-504, screen space 500 has beende-cluttered. In one embodiment, application windows 502-504 are removedusing an animation, e.g., application windows 502-504 may be flown offscreen space 500 to a smaller location on screen space 500, e.g., touser interface 506. In one embodiment, user interface 505 and userinterface 506 are continued to be displayed after removing applicationwindows 502-504, as shown in FIG. 5B. In one embodiment, ApplicationsApp.2-App.4, which application windows 502-504 have been removed fromscreen space 500, continue to be executed by the processor of the dataprocessing system and are identified by text App.2, App.3, and App. 4,or respective icons, on user interface 506, as shown in FIG. 5B.

Further, referring back to FIG. 4, method 400 continues with operation404 that involves receiving a request to display one or more windows ofthe second application. In one embodiment, the request to display one ormore windows of the second application is performed by positioningpointer 507 over an icon App.2 on user interface 506 and selecting thaticon (e.g. by pressing and releasing a mouse's button), as shown in FIG.5B. In alternate embodiments, the request to display one or more windowsof the second application may be performed through a keyboard, amicrophone, or any other input device of the data processing system.

Next, operation 405 is performed in a single application mode, andoperation 405 involves displaying one or more windows of the secondapplication while automatically removing the first application windowsfrom the screen space. FIG. 5C shows one embodiment of screen space 500after application window 502A of App. 2 has been displayed, whileautomatically, without a user's intervention (other than the selectionof the second application), removing application window 510A of App. 1.As shown in FIG. 5C, application window 502A is displayed in a SingleApp. mode environment. That is, a window 502A of FIG. 5C is controlledby App. 2. Application window 510A is removed from screen space 500,such that application window 502A replaces application window 510A onscreen space 500. In a single application mode, at any point of timeonly a single application may control the major portion of screen space500. In one embodiment, after application window 510A has been removedfrom screen space 500, the content of window 502A remains in the framebuffer while the content of window 510A is no longer contained in theframe buffer. In one embodiment, user interface 505 and user interface506 continue to be displayed after removing application window 510Awhile displaying application window 502A, as shown in FIG. 5C. In oneembodiment, Application App.1, which application window 510A has beenremoved from screen space 500 and replaced by application window 502A,continues to be executed by the processor of the data processing systemand is identified by text App.1, or an icon, on user interface 506, asshown in FIG. 5B. Displaying application windows on screen space 500 inmulti-application mode or a single application mode is controlled by auser and the user may switch between a multi-application mode and asingle application mode any time in at least certain embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a method 600 of switching from amulti-application mode to a single application mode. Method 600 beginswith operation 601 of displaying one or more first user levelapplication windows and one or more second user level applicationwindows, and a user interface of system level application(s), whereinthe one or more first user level application windows and the one or moresecond user level application windows are displayed in amulti-application mode that includes displaying application windows of aplurality of executing user level applications concurrently, asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 5A.

Next, operation 602 is performed that involves switching from themulti-application mode to a single application mode. In one embodiment,switching from the multi-application mode to the single application modeis performed in response to the selection of the single applicationmode, as described above. In one embodiment, switching frommulti-application mode to the single application mode is performed byselecting a command to enter the single application mode, which willswitch from the multi-application mode to the single application mode.Method 600 continues with operation 603 that involves removingautomatically in response to the switch to single application mode,without a user's intervention, the second user level application windowswhile leaving one or more first user level application windowsdisplayed. Removing the second user level application window isperformed in response to switching to the single application mode. Next,operation 604 involves continuing to display the user interface of thesystem level application(s). The user interface of the system levelapplication is continued to be displayed in a single application mode,as described above. The user interface of the system level applicationmay be an icon, a bar, a dock, a command tab interface, a dashboard, ataskbar, a menu bar, and the like. At operation 605, a request todisplay a window of the second user level application is received. Therequest is received during controlling a major portion of a screen spaceby a single application, as described above with respect to FIGS. 4 and5B. Next, method continues with operation 606 that involves displayingthe window of the second user level application while removing thewindows of the first user level application. Displaying the window ofthe second user level application while the windows of first userapplication are removed is performed in a single application mode, asdescribed above in response to a single command to select the seconduser level application. In one embodiment, the windows of the first userlevel application are pushed off the screen space, and the window of thesecond user level application is displayed on the screen replacing thefirst user level application window. In one embodiment, the first userapplication, whose application window has been removed from the screenspace, continues to be executed by the processor. Next, operation 607involves displaying a second user interface (e.g. another instance of adock) to show a user level application that is executing and has itswindows removed from the screen space. In alternate embodiments, thesecond user interface may be an icon, a text, or a bar, as describedabove. The dock may display a “live”, updated representation of theoutput of the user level application which has had its window removed.

FIG. 7A shows another embodiment of screen space 700 of a display deviceof a data processing system in a multi-application mode. As shown inFIG. 7A, screen space 700 is occupied by application windows 701 and 702controlled by application App.1, application window 703 controlled byapplication App.2, application window 704 controlled by applicationApp.3, and application window 705 controlled by application App. 4. Asshown in FIG. 7A, a major portion 710 of screen space 700 is controlledby multiple applications App.1-App.4 In one embodiment, major portion710 occupies from about 80% to about 99% of screen space 700. In oneembodiment, App.1-App.4 are executed by processor 301 of data processingsystem 300 shown in FIG. 3, to display application windows 701-705concurrently on screen space 700, as shown in FIG. 7A. In oneembodiment, applications App.1-App.4 are user level applications. Inanother embodiment, applications App.1-App.4 include user levelapplications and system level applications which have windows for a userinterface. In one embodiment, screen space 700 includes a user interface707 provided by one or more system level applications and this userinterface may be, for example, an icon, a bar, a command tab interface,a dashboard, a taskbar, a dock, a menu bar, a region that presents aninformation, e.g., a stock ticker, or any combination thereof, as shownin FIG. 7A. In one embodiment, user interface 707, e.g., a system bar isused to show system level applications. In one embodiment, userinterface 707 may be animated, e.g., may be floating over screen space700. In one embodiment, screen space 700 includes a user interface 706which may be a dock to display frequently used user level applications,user level applications that are currently executed by the processor ofthe data processing system, or both. In one embodiment, the userinterface 707 that displays a system level application and the userinterface 706 that displays user level applications may be the same userinterface, e.g., the same dock. In another embodiment, user interface707 and user interface 706 are different interfaces.

In one embodiment, a pointer 708 is positioned over an icon of a desiredapplication on user interface 506 that shows applications that arecurrently executed by the processor, to select the single applicationmode, as shown in FIG. 7A. In alternate embodiments, the selection ofthe single application mode may be performed by a user using any inputdevice, e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and the like to indicatethis selection. In one embodiment, selection of the single applicationmode is performed by selecting a command to enter the single applicationmode, as described above.

FIG. 7B shows another embodiment of screen space 700 of the displaydevice of the data processing system after all the windows, exceptapplication windows of one application, have been automatically removedfrom screen space 700 after receiving the selection of the singleapplication mode. As shown in FIG. 7B, major portion 710 of screen space700 is controlled by a single application App. 1. As shown in FIG. 7B,application window 701 and application window 702 of App.1 are displayedin a single application (“Single App”) mode environment. Applicationwindows 703-705 of applications App.2-App.4 have been automaticallyremoved from screen space 700 without a user's intervention (except forthe selection of a single application mode by the user), whileapplication windows 701 and 702 of application App.1 continue to bedisplayed on screen space 700. As shown in FIG. 7B, after removingapplication windows 703-705, screen space 700 has been de-cluttered. Inone embodiment, application windows 703-705 are removed using ananimation, as described above. In one embodiment, user interface 706 anduser interface 707 continue to be displayed after removing applicationwindows 703-705, as shown in FIG. 7B. In one embodiment, ApplicationsApp.2-App.4, which application windows 703-705 have been removed fromscreen space 500, continue to be executed by the processor 300 of thedata processing system and are identified by text App.2, App.3, and App.4, or respective icons, on user interface 706, as shown in FIG. 7B.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, pointer 708 is positioned overan icon App.2 on user interface 706 to select for display one or moreapplication windows of App.2 on screen space 700 in a single applicationmode. In other words, a user can switch from App. 1 to App. 2 in singleapplication mode by selecting the icon App. 2 on the user interface 706,thereby causing the removal of all displayed windows of App. 1 andcausing the display of all windows of App. 2 (or at least a subset ofthe windows of App. 2), all happening in response to a single usercommand to perform the switch. In alternative embodiments, other inputdevices (such as, e.g., a keyboard, a microphone, or any other inputdevice of the data processing system) may be used to cause a switch fromone application to another application while in single application mode.

FIG. 7C shows another embodiment of screen space 700 after applicationwindow 703 of App. 2 has been displayed in response to a switch fromApp. 1 to App. 2, while automatically, in response to the switch,removing application windows 701 and 702 of App. 1. As shown in FIG. 7C,application window 703 is displayed in a Single App. mode environment.That is, major portion 710 of screen space 700 is controlled by App. 2.Application windows 701 and 702 are pushed off screen space 700, suchthat application window 703 replaces application windows 702 and 701 onscreen space 700. In one embodiment, user interface 706 and userinterface 707 continue to be displayed after removing applicationwindows 701 and 702, as shown in FIG. 7C. In one embodiment, ApplicationApp.1, whose application windows 701 and 702 have been removed fromscreen space 700 and replaced by application window 703 of App.2,continues to be executed by the processor of the data processing systemand is identified by text App.1, or an icon, on user interface 706, asshown in FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a method 800 of manipulating a screenspace of a display device. Method 800 begins with operation 801 whichinvolves displaying multiple windows on a screen space, wherein each ofthe windows is controlled by a separate application and displaying auser interface of one or more system level applications, e.g., a dock,which show icons of system level applications, as described above withrespect to FIGS. 5A and 7A.

Next, operation 802 involves receiving a selection of a singleapplication mode. In one embodiment, selection of a single applicationmode may be performed by selecting a command to enter a singleapplication mode, as described above. Method 800 continues withoperation 803 that involves removing automatically, without a user'sintervention other than the selection of single application mode, allthe windows from the screen space, except a first application window, inresponse the selection. Typically, the selection of such mode alsoincludes selecting the single application which is to be run in thismode. This may occur by, for example, causing the presentation of acontextual menu for the desired application and selecting singleapplication mode from that menu. More specifically, a user may positiona cursor over an icon, representing the desired application, in the dockand press a button to cause the display of the contextual menu whichincludes a command which, if selected from the contextual menu, causesthe selection of a single application mode in which the windows of thedesired application are displayed (and other formerly opened windows ofother user level applications are closed in response to the selection).Next, operation 804 may be optionally performed and it involvescontinuing to display the user interface of the system levelapplication, as described above with respect to FIGS. 5B and 7B. Theuser interface of the system level application is continued to bedisplayed in a single application mode, as described above. The userinterface of the system level application may be an icon, a bar, acommand tab interface, a dashboard, a taskbar, a menu bar, and the like.Next, operation 805 is optionally performed and it involves displayingthe user interface, e.g., icons, of user level applications, whichwindows are removed from the screen space, wherein the user levelapplications are executing. Next, a request to display a secondapplication window is received in operation 806. The request is receivedduring a single application mode that includes controlling a majorportion of a screen space by a single application, as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 4 and 5B. Next, method continues with operation807 that involves displaying, in response to receiving the request, thesecond application window on the screen space, while removing the firstapplication window form the screen space. Displaying the secondapplication window while removing the first application window isperformed in a single application mode, as described above. In oneembodiment, the first application window is pushed off the screen space,and second application window is displayed on the screen replacing thefirst application window. In one embodiment, the first user application,whose application window has been removed from the screen space,continues to be executed by the processor.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a method 900 of manipulating a screenspace of a display device. This embodiment allows a user to select atleast one set of applications (e.g. a word processing applications and aweb browser application) which can be displayed concurrently while otherapplications' windows are removed from the display's screen when“single” application mode is selected. In this example, the mode may becharacterized as “selected applications mode” because multipleapplications may be selected to cause their windows to appear whileother non-selected applications will have their windows removed. Thismay be extended to several sets of selected applications, each of whichmay be caused to appear while removing windows of applications not inthe set which has been selected for display. Method 900 begins withoperation 901 which involves displaying multiple windows on a screenspace, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set ofapplications are executing to display the windows. Next, operation 902involves receiving a selection of a selected applications (“Single App”)mode. In one embodiment, selection of a Single App mode may be performedby selecting a command to enter the Single App mode. Method 900continues with operation 903 that involves removing automatically,without a user's intervention other than the selection of the Single Appmode, all the windows from the screen space, except for one or morewindows of the first set, in response the selection. Typically, theselection of such mode also includes selecting, e.g., by marking, a setof applications which is to be run in the selected applications mode.This may occur by, for example, displaying a contextual menu for eachdesired application, indicating that the desired application needs to beincluded in the desired set, and selecting selected applications modeusing that menu. More specifically, a user may position a cursor over anicon, representing the desired application of the set, in the dock andpress a button to cause the display of the contextual menu whichincludes a command which, if selected from the contextual menu, causesthe selection of a selected applications mode in which one or morewindows of the desired set of applications are displayed while all otherformerly opened windows of other user level applications areautomatically removed from the screen space in response to theselection, as described in operation 903. In one embodiment, one or moreother applications (e.g., user level applications) may be marked to notto be affected by the selection of the Single App mode and to continueto be displayed while in the Single App mode. In one embodiment, a userinterface of the system level application is continued to be displayedin a Single App mode, as described above. The user interface of thesystem level application may be an icon, a bar, a command tab interface,a dashboard, a taskbar, a menu bar, and the like. In one embodiment, auser interface, e.g., icons, of user level applications, whose windowsare removed from the screen space, wherein the user level applicationsare executing, continues to be displayed in a dock or portion of ascreen. Next, a request to display one or more windows of a second setof applications is received in operation 904. The request is receivedduring the Single App mode that includes controlling a major portion ofa screen space by a single set of applications. Next, method continueswith operation 905 that involves displaying, in response to receivingthe request, the one or more windows of the second set of applicationson the screen space, while removing all the windows of the first set ofapplications form the screen space. Displaying the one or more windowsof the second set of applications while removing all the windows of thefirst set of applications is performed in a Single App mode. In oneembodiment, the windows of the first set of applications are pushed offthe screen space, and the one or more windows of the second set ofapplications are displayed on the screen replacing the first applicationwindow. In one embodiment, the set of applications, whose windows havebeen removed from the screen space, continues to be executed by theprocessor.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evidentthat various modifications may be made thereto without departing fromthe broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A machine implemented method, comprising: displaying a first set ofwindows controlled by a first set of user level applications and asecond set of windows controlled by a second set of user levelapplications, and a first user interface of a system level applicationon a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windowsand the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application modethat includes concurrently displaying application windows of a pluralityof executing applications; switching from the multi-application mode toa selected applications mode; removing, in response to the switching,the second set of windows from the screen space of the display devicewhile leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface ofthe system level application displayed; receiving a request to displaythe second set of user level applications; displaying, in response tothe request, the second set of windows on the screen space of thedisplay device while removing the first set of windows, and displaying asecond user interface to show user level applications, whose windowshave been removed from the screen space and that are executing.
 2. Amachine implemented method, comprising: displaying a first set ofwindows controlled by a first set of user level applications and asecond set of windows controlled by a second set of user levelapplications, and a first user interface of a system level applicationon a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windowsand the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application modethat includes concurrently displaying application windows of a pluralityof executing applications; switching from the multi-application mode toa selected applications mode; removing, in response to the switching,the second set of windows from the screen space of the display devicewhile leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface ofthe system level application displayed; receiving a request to displaythe second set of user level applications; and displaying, in responseto the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of thedisplay device while removing the first set of windows, wherein theremoving of the second set of windows includes continuing to execute thesecond set of user level applications and wherein live updates of theoutputs of the second set of user level applications are presented inthe first user interface.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the firstuser interface includes a dock.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thedock includes a display of frequently used user level applications anduser level applications that are being currently executed.
 5. A machineimplemented method, comprising: displaying a first set of windowscontrolled by a first set of user level applications and a second set ofwindows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and afirst user interface of a system level application on a screen space ofa display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set ofwindows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includesconcurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executingapplications; switching from the multi-application mode to a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the switching, the secondset of windows from the screen space of the display device while leavingthe first set of windows and the first user interface of the systemlevel application displayed; receiving a request to display the secondset of user level applications; and displaying, in response to therequest, the second set of windows on the screen space of the displaydevice while removing the first set of windows, wherein the selectedapplications mode includes controlling a major portion of the screenspace by one of the first set and the second set of user levelapplications.
 6. A machine implemented method, comprising: displaying afirst set of windows controlled by a first set of user levelapplications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set ofuser level applications, and a first user interface of a system levelapplication on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first setof windows and the second set of windows are displayed in amulti-application mode that includes concurrently displaying applicationwindows of a plurality of executing applications; switching from themulti-application mode to a selected applications mode; removing, inresponse to the switching, the second set of windows from the screenspace of the display device while leaving the first set of windows andthe first user interface of the system level application displayed;receiving a request to display the second set of user levelapplications; and displaying, in response to the request, the second setof windows on the screen space of the display device while removing thefirst set of windows, wherein the switching is performed in response toreceiving a selection of the selected applications mode.
 7. A machineimplemented method, comprising: displaying a first set of windowscontrolled by a first set of user level applications and a second set ofwindows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and afirst user interface of a system level application on a screen space ofa display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set ofwindows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includesconcurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executingapplications; switching from the multi-application mode to a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the switching, the secondset of windows from the screen space of the display device while leavingthe first set of windows and the first user interface of the systemlevel application displayed; receiving a request to display the secondset of user level applications; and displaying, in response to therequest, the second set of windows on the screen space of the displaydevice while removing the first set of windows, wherein the removing ofthe second set of windows includes animating the removing of the secondset of windows.
 8. An article of manufacture comprising: amachine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed bya machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of userlevel applications and a second set of windows controlled by a secondset of user level applications, and a first user interface of a systemlevel application on a screen space of a display device, wherein thefirst set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in amulti-application mode that includes concurrently displaying applicationwindows of a plurality of executing applications; switching from themulti-application mode to a selected applications mode; removing, inresponse to the switching, the second set of windows from the screenspace of the display device while leaving the first set of windows andthe first user interface of the system level application displayed;receiving a request to display the second set of user levelapplications; displaying, in response to the request, the second set ofwindows on the screen space of the display device while removing thefirst set of windows; and displaying a second user interface to showuser level applications, whose windows have been removed from the screenspace, and are executing.
 9. An article of manufacture comprising: amachine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed bya machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of userlevel applications and a second set of windows controlled by a secondset of user level applications, and a first user interface of a systemlevel application on a screen space of a display device, wherein thefirst set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in amulti-application mode that includes concurrently displaying applicationwindows of a plurality of executing applications; switching from themulti-application mode to a selected applications mode; removing, inresponse to the switching, the second set of windows from the screenspace of the display device while leaving the first set of windows andthe first user interface of the system level application displayed;receiving a request to display the second set of user levelapplications; and displaying, in response to the request, the second setof windows on the screen space of the display device while removing thefirst set of windows, wherein the removing of the second set of windowsincludes continuing to execute the second set of user level applicationsand wherein live updates of the outputs of the second set of user levelapplications are presented in the first user interface.
 10. The articleof manufacture of claim 9, wherein the first user interface includes adock.
 11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the dockincludes a display of frequently used user level applications and userlevel applications that are being currently executed.
 12. An article ofmanufacture comprising: a machine-accessible storage medium includingdata that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to performoperations comprising, displaying a first set of windows controlled by afirst set of user level applications and a second set of windowscontrolled by a second set of user level applications, and a first userinterface of a system level application on a screen space of a displaydevice, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windowsare displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrentlydisplaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applicationsmode; removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windowsfrom the screen space of the display device while leaving the first setof windows and the first user interface of the system level applicationdisplayed; receiving a request to display the second set of user levelapplications; and displaying, in response to the request, the second setof windows on the screen space of the display device while removing thefirst set of windows, wherein the selected applications mode includescontrolling a major portion of the screen space by one of the first setand the second set of user level applications.
 13. An article ofmanufacture comprising: a machine-accessible storage medium includingdata that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to performoperations comprising, displaying a first set of windows controlled by afirst set of user level applications and a second set of windowscontrolled by a second set of user level applications, and a first userinterface of a system level application on a screen space of a displaydevice, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windowsare displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrentlydisplaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applicationsmode; removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windowsfrom the screen space of the display device while leaving the first setof windows and the first user interface of the system level applicationdisplayed; receiving a request to display the second set of user levelapplications; and displaying, in response to the request, the second setof windows on the screen space of the display device while removing thefirst set of windows, wherein the switching is performed in response toreceiving a selection of the selected applications mode.
 14. An articleof manufacture comprising: a machine-accessible storage medium includingdata that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to performoperations comprising, displaying a first set of windows controlled by afirst set of user level applications and a second set of windowscontrolled by a second set of user level applications, and a first userinterface of a system level application on a screen space of a displaydevice, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windowsare displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrentlydisplaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applicationsmode; removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windowsfrom the screen space of the display device while leaving the first setof windows and the first user interface of the system level applicationdisplayed; receiving a request to display the second set of user levelapplications; and displaying, in response to the request, the second setof windows on the screen space of the display device while removing thefirst set of windows, wherein the removing of the second set of windowsincludes animating the removing of the second set of windows.
 15. Amachine implemented method, comprising: displaying a plurality ofwindows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a firstset of applications and a second set of applications are executing todisplay the plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space of the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space of the displaydevice, wherein the selected applications mode includes controlling amajor portion of the screen space by one set of applications.
 16. Amachine implemented method, comprising: displaying a plurality ofwindows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a firstset of applications and a second set of applications are executing todisplay the plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space of the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the secondset of applications continues to execute after the removing all thewindows, of the second set of applications, from the screen space,except for the windows of the first set of applications.
 17. A machineimplemented method, comprising: displaying a plurality of windows on ascreen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set ofapplications and a second set of applications are executing to displaythe plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space of the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the firstset of applications continues to execute after the removing all thewindows of the first set of applications from the screen space andwherein live updates of the outputs of the first set of applications arepresented in a first user interface located at an edge of the screenspace.
 18. A machine implemented method, comprising: displaying aplurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein atleast a first set of applications and a second set of applications areexecuting to display the plurality of windows; receiving a selection ofa selected applications mode; removing, in response to the selection,all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except forone or more windows of the first set of applications; receiving arequest to display one or more windows of the second set of applicationswhile in the selected applications mode; displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space of the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space and displaying afirst user interface to show applications, whose windows have beenremoved from the screen space.
 19. A machine implemented method,comprising: displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of adisplay device, wherein at least a first set of applications and asecond set of applications are executing to display the plurality ofwindows; receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screenspace of the display device, except for one or more windows of the firstset of applications; receiving a request to display one or more windowsof the second set of applications while in the selected applicationsmode; displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows ofthe second set of applications on the screen space of the display devicewhile removing all the windows of the first set of applications from thescreen space and marking the first set of applications to be displayedin the selected applications mode and marking the second set ofapplications to be displayed in the selected applications mode.
 20. Amachine implemented method, comprising: displaying a plurality ofwindows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a firstset of applications and a second set of applications are executing todisplay the plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space of the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space, wherein theremoving the all the windows of the second set of applications from thescreen space includes animating the removal of all the windows, exceptfor the one or more windows of the first set of applications.
 21. Amachine implemented method, comprising: displaying a plurality ofwindows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a firstset of applications and a second set of applications are executing todisplay the plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; displaying, in response to the request,the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screenspace of the display device while removing all the windows of the firstset of applications from the screen space and displaying a userinterface of system level applications.
 22. An article of manufacturecomprising: a machine-accessible medium including data that, whenaccessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operationscomprising, displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of adisplay device, wherein at least a first set of applications and asecond set of applications are executing to display the plurality ofwindows; receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screenspace of the display device, except for one or more windows of the firstset of applications; receiving a request to display one or more windowsof the second set of applications while in the selected applicationsmode; and displaying, in response to the request, the one or morewindows of the second set of applications on the screen space o thedisplay device while removing all the windows of the first set ofapplications from the screen space, wherein the selected applicationsmode includes controlling a major portion of the screen space by one setof applications.
 23. An article of manufacture comprising: amachine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by amachine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising, displayinga plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein atleast a first set of applications and a second set of applications areexecuting to display he plurality of windows; receiving a selection of aselected applications mode; removing, in response to the selection, allthe windows from the screen space of the display device, except for oneor more windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space o the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the secondset of applications continues to execute after the removing all thewindows, of the second set of applications, from the screen space,except for the one or more windows of the first set of applications. 24.An article of manufacture comprising: a machine-accessible mediumincluding data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising, displaying a plurality of windows on ascreen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set ofapplications and a second set of applications are executing to displaythe plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space o the display device while removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the firstset of applications continues to execute after the removing all thewindows of the first set of applications from the screen space andwherein live updates of the outputs of the first set of applications arepresented in a first user interface located at an edge of the screenspace.
 25. An article of manufacture comprising: a machine-accessiblemedium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause themachine to perform operations comprising, displaying a plurality ofwindows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a firstset of applications and a second set of applications are executing todisplay the plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; displaying, in response to the request,the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screenspace o the display device while removing all the windows of the firstset of applications from the screen space displaying a first userinterface to show applications, whose windows have been removed from thescreen space.
 26. The article of manufacture of claim 25, wherein themachine-accessible medium further includes data that cause the machineto perform operations comprising, marking the first set of applicationsto be displayed in the selected applications mode and marking the secondset of applications to be displayed in the selected applications mode.27. An article of manufacture comprising: a machine-accessible mediumincluding data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising, displaying a plurality of windows on ascreen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set ofapplications and a second set of applications are executing to displaythe plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; and displaying, in response to therequest, the one or more windows of the second set of applications onthe screen space o the display device while, removing all the windows ofthe first set of applications from the screen space, wherein theremoving of all of the windows of the second set of applications fromthe screen space includes animating the removal of all the windows,except for the one or more windows of the first set of applications. 28.An article of manufacture comprising: a machine-accessible mediumincluding data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising, displaying a plurality of windows on ascreen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set ofapplications and a second set of applications are executing to displaythe plurality of windows; receiving a selection of a selectedapplications mode; removing, in response to the selection, all thewindows from the screen space of the display device, except for one ormore windows of the first set of applications; receiving a request todisplay one or more windows of the second set of applications while inthe selected applications mode; displaying, in response to the request,the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screenspace o the display device while removing all the windows of the firstset of applications from the screen space; and displaying a userinterface of system level applications.